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Bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” After Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740).
Sold by Spitalfields House
sold SA1203973
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Spitalfields House

Spitalfields House

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2022
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    Fine period furnishings, objects and design - inspired by the houses of eighteenth century spitalfields.
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Bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” After Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740).

1900 - 1920
Sold 9 June 2026 · Spitalfields House
This “Bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” After Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740)” found a buyer.

It was listed by Spitalfields House. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

Fine patinated bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” after Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740). The sculpture depicts a striding muscular figure – nude and heroic, holding a severed head. The head is often identified to be that of John the Baptist.

It has been suggested that Giambolgna’s Mars originally held a severed head, which is has been lost from most surviving examples – and that the Soldani-Benzi cast is a close representation of the lost original. In “Giambologna: The Complete Sculpture” the Scholar, Charles Avery discusses such a claim (1987).

The contrary view is that Soldani’s version draws from Giambologna’s (1529-1608) “Mars”, with the addition of the Baptist’s severed head, heightening all things baroque.

This example is a late 18th or early 19th-century copy. Dark patination.

This sculpture views well in the round and is certainly not to be overlooked.

Physical Dimensions
Height
40cm (15.75")
Width
13cm (5.12")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Declaration

Spitalfields House has dated this Bronze Figurative Sculpture to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1203973
Description
Fine patinated bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” after Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740). The sculpture depicts a striding muscular figure – nude and heroic, holding a severed head. The head is often identified to be that of John the Baptist.
fig 1. A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth.
fig 1. Bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” After Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740).

It has been suggested that Giambolgna’s Mars originally held a severed head, which is has been lost from most surviving examples – and that the Soldani-Benzi cast is a close representation of the lost original. In “Giambologna: The Complete Sculpture” the Scholar, Charles Avery discusses such a claim (1987).

“
The contrary view is that Soldani’s version draws from Giambologna’s (1529-1608) “Mars”, with the addition of the Baptist’s severed head, heightening all things baroque.
Spitalfields House

This example is a late 18th or early 19th-century copy. Dark patination.

This sculpture views well in the round and is certainly not to be overlooked.

Height
40cm (15.75")
Width
13cm (5.12")
Depth
10cm (3.94")
Date of Manufacture

Spitalfields House has dated this Bronze Figurative Sculpture to the 1900s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1203973
Spitalfields House
Spitalfields House
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2022

Fine period furnishings, objects and design - inspired by the houses of eighteenth century spitalfields.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Spitalfields House Profile Page

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A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth. SOLD9 JUN 26
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Archive I A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth. SOLD9 JUN 26

Bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” After Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740).

Archive II A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth. View II
Archive III A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth. View III
Archive IV A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Spitalfields House

Spitalfields House
Telephone 07766 834925
Location
Spitalfields
London
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/spitalfieldshouse
Verified Since Jan 2022
Items For Sale 49
Items Sold 37
Spitalfields House
Spitalfields House
Verified Since Jan 2022
View Dealer Info
Location: Spitalfields, London, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/spitalfieldshouse
Verified
Jan 2022
For Sale
49
Sold
37
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth.
Bronze of Mars or the “Executioner,” after Massimiliano Soldani Benzi (1656-1740).
Ref: SA1203973
A dark patinated bronze sculpture depicting a classical male figure holding a sword and a severed head, mounted on a rectangular plinth.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectSculptures & Statues
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleBaroque
  • MaterialBronze
  • ColourDark Bronze
  • MotifsClassical musculature, Dynamic contrapposto stance, Detailed patinated finish, Rectangular integral base
  • SizeH 40 cm (16 in) x W 13 cm (5 in) x D 10 cm (4 in)

FAQs

Grand Tour bronzes were scaled-down replicas of famous classical sculptures collected by wealthy travellers touring Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries as symbols of education and status.

Authentic pieces were typically cast using the lost-wax method, utilizing a copper and tin alloy known as bronze, often finished with a chemical patination to simulate age.

Authentication involves examining the depth and warmth of the patina, checking for casting seams, studying chiselling details on the metal surface, and evaluating the wear on the base.

Placing a dark bronze figure on a clean-lined wooden sideboard or mantelpiece creates a striking focal point, contrasting historical gravitas with modern minimalist surroundings.

Bronze requires minimal intervention; dusting with a soft, dry brush and occasionally applying microcrystalline wax helps protect the patinated surface from moisture and oxidation.
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